The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. VPRA also is a funding partner on many Virginia Railway Express (VRE) initiatives and administers capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the multi-billion-dollar Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance, or operation, or any combination thereof, of a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995. Do you excel in public procurement and want to make an impact on major infrastructure projects? If so, VPRA is looking for you! The Buyer will handle daytoday purchasing needs, including a moderate to high volume of construction, architecture/engineering, consulting services, and small goods and services procurements. This role plays a key part in supporting VPRA's procurement and contract administration functions and requires strong knowledge of public purchasing requirements and familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). This full-time position may be based in Alexandria or Richmond, Virginia. Applicants based in Northern Virginia are eligible for a 15% geographical pay differential. Responsibilities With minimal direction from the Senior Manager of Procurement, the Buyer will: Ensure that all purchases are performed accurately and timely, following applicable law and VPRA policies and procedures. Manage requisitions and confer with departments regarding requirements, specifications, quantity, quality, and delivery. Identify and cultivate dependable supply and service sources, actively promoting increased participation from small and diverse businesses (SWaM). Oversee all stages of the procurement process, ensuring compliance, timeliness, transparency, and strategic sourcing that aligns with VPRA's objectives and applicable regulations. Develop, negotiate, and manage strategic vendor agreements with consultants and contractors to ensure cost savings, risk mitigation, and compliance with VPRA policies, legal standards, and industry standards while monitoring contracts to uphold best practices and enhance procurement efficiency. Oversee contract compliance by managing change orders and adherence to terms and conditions; Identify and implement procurement and contracting methods that align with VPRA requirements, Federal grant regulations, industry standards, and marketplace best practices. Support procurement efforts to resolve issues by addressing disputes related to scope and performance and serving as an escalation point to mitigate risk and ensure smooth project execution, while maintaining clear communication with VPRA leadership. Prepare final project records for closeout and reporting while supporting spend analysis and sourcing development through accurate data collection and documentation. Provide guidance and training to staff on procurement best practices while staying current on market trends and product availability. Assist with vendor management and prospective bidders, communicating processes, policies, and procedures, and representing VPRA tactfully and professionally. Required Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, engineering, construction management, or related field; or equivalent years of experience. Virginia Construction Contracting Officer (VCCO) or other procurement/contracting certifications Required Experience: Minimum of four (4) years of relevant procurement experience with demo…